Sex, scandal and lavish costumes helped Poldark set the benchmark for period dramas in the 1970s.

The racy show set among the tin mines of 18th-century Cornwall had 15 million people hooked as it aired in 40 countries around the world.

Almost four decades after it first hit our screens, BBC1’s adaptation of Winston Graham’s novels is due a revival.

The revamp, which will debut next week, is tipped to be even more bodice-ripping than the original and is set to rival even hit ITV show Downton Abbey.

But as the the legendary saga makes its big come-back, what has become of the original actors?

While a dashing new cast take up the iconic roles, here's what became of the old line up...

Ross Poldark

Those who watched the drama unfurl in the 1970s will remember Robin Ellis playing pained protagonist, Ross Poldark as his fiancee ran off with his cousin and he turned to his servant Demelza for comfort.

Ross and Demelza Poldark (Image: SCOPE FEATURES)

But while his character had just returned to England from the USA, Robin's next role took him back across the pond for 1979 Oscar nominated The Europeans. He went on to play a soldier in a third period drama called The Good Soldier before hanging up his bayonet.

Now aged 72, he has a quiet life in Southwestern France with his American wife Meredith Wheeler and a menagerie of animals. He also writes the odd cook-book.

And fans of the original rejoice - he'll be returning for a cameo in the new series.

New actor: Hobbit star Aidan Turner is the smouldering leading man, straight out of Middle Earth.

The new Ross (Image: BBC)

Demelza

Poor Angharad Rees was often referred to as the “unlikely looking” wife of dashing Poldark in her role as lowly servant Demelza.

But in reality she became a sex symbol as a result of the hit show.

She also went on to be a successful stage actress, bagging a CBE for her services to theatre.

Although she was in huge demand after Poldark’s success, she refused to take on any more major roles as she wanted to concentrate on motherhood.

She sadly died in 2012, aged 63, of pancreatic cancer.

Her memorial service in Knightsbridge was an affair for costume drama royalty with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes leading the tributes.

New actor: Eleanor Tomlinson, star of the BBC’s The White Queen.

The new Demelza (Image: BBC)

Elizabeth Chynoweth

In 1975, the nation hated Jill Townsend – or her character, Elizabeth, at least.

The object of Poldark's affections ran off with none other than his cousin, Francis.

Perhaps she never really regained the love of the public.

Elizabeth (Image: BBC)

When the series was cancelled US-born Jill, 70, made a bid for movie stardom as the female lead in Alfie Darling - the 1976 sequel to Alfie, the movie that made Michael Caine an international superstar. Unluckily for her, it was a critical and commercial flop.

She had a change of career and became a journalist after she quit acting in 1979 before later training as a teacher. Now Jill is a spiritual healer in her native California.

New actor: Heida Reed, has previously worked on shows like Silent Witness and DCI Banks.

The new Elizabeth (Image: BBC)

Francis Poldark

If Elizabeth was the Scarlet Woman, then Francis was the double-crossing scoundrel who led her astray.

He eventually became dissolute and debt-ridden, and ended up drowning in a flooded mine shaft, having found a source of fool's copper.

Francis (Image: BBC)

Luckily actor Clive Francis's fate wasn't quite so dramatic. Although he never found the same success again, he remains a jobbing actor and toured with a one man show of Dickens' A Christmas Carol in 2012.

New Francis (Image: BBC)

New Actor: Kyle Soller, a relative unknown who also stars in an upcoming screenplay of An Inspector Calls to air later this year.

George Warleggan

Greedy leader of the Warleggan clan, George, became the bad boy of the saga.

Drawing Ross into his world of crime he became known for his bad boy image.

Sadly the darkly handsome Ralph Bates, who played the even more darkly painted villain, died cruelly young, aged 51, of pancreatic cancer - just three months after he was diagnosed.

George (Image: BBC)

New actor: Jack Farthing, who you may recognise from small parts in Poirot and period drama Dancing On The Edge.

The original George (Image: BBC)

Reverend Odgers

Panto legend and national treasure Christopher Biggins played an unlikely character in the original screenplay.

Reverend Odgers officiated at the wedding of Elizabeth and Francis and went on, like Ross, to marry a servant girl.

Larger-than-life Biggins went on to win I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

New actor: Jason Squibb who starred in a critically acclaimed short called Capture The Flag in 2003...and then played a taxi driver in a couple of episodes of Doc Martin.

Verity Poldark

Francis's sister and Ross's cousin Verity is described as “plain, with fluffy hair and a mobile mouth” in the books on which Poldark was based.

But even Norma Streader who took on the part received superstar status after the show aired.

Newspapers at the time reported a fan response to the cast on the same level as Beatlemania in the 1960s.

Norma Streader never experienced the same following again but went on to have bit parts in successful period dramas including Pride and Prejudice and Anna Karenina.

New actor: Ruby Bentall, who first gained acclaim for playing Minnie Mude in Lark Rise To Candleford.

Verity (Image: BBC)

Prudie Paynter

Housemaid Prudie Paynter was known for being a bit cheeky and liking the odd tipple.

The actress Mary Wimbush went on to become a stalwart of the West End theatre, and also played three separate roles in the long-running BBC Radio 4 soap The Archers.

Mary had a strike and died aged 81 immediately after recording an episode at the BBC studios in Birmingham. She died in the arms of Alison Dowling who plays her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Pargetter.

New actor: Beatie Edney, who has previously appeared in Law & Order: UK and Inspector Lewis.